It comes as temperatures overnight reached as low as -10C in Sennybridge – the same as the average January temperature in Moscow.

Elsewhere temperatures reached as low as -7C, with -5C recorded at Cardiff Airport at 7am today. In Cardiff Bay, temperatures were cold enough to freeze a fountain near the Senedd in mid-flow.

Throughout the day temperatures will once more struggle to get above freezing, with coastal regions experiencing slightly warmer weather at 3C.

A spokeswoman for the Met Office said the cold snap had been caused by an area of high pressure over eastern Europe and Russia that is forcing cold air in Britain’s direction.

She said today would be much the same as yesterday, with clear skies, light easterly winds and temperatures “well below normal for this time of year”.

“It will be a cold night, particularly in eastern Wales, and will start to get cloudier in the west, with some outbreaks of rain also in the west on Saturday morning,” she said.

“As that rain comes further in and hits the cold air it should start turning to snow.”

She said people living in eastern areas of Wales including Newport, Wrexham and the marches, should expect as much as 5cm of snow, while in central areas, including the valleys, Cardiff, Powys and central North Wales, snow will fall less heavily but will “not be out of the question”.

Mountainous areas across the country, including the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia, will also be affected.

The Met Office was this morning warning people to take extra care and pay close attention to forecasts.

The spokeswoman added: “After Saturday it is probably not going to be as cold as it has been, with temperatures going back to what they normally are at this time of year as the wind direction changes from a predominantly easterly wind to a south wind tomorrow, with a north-westerly wind coming in behind that.”

The AA yesterday said it was 80% busier than normal and expected to attend thousands of breakdowns as the cold caused a surge in flat batteries.

Darron Burness, the AA’s head of special operations, said: “As well as being a killer for car batteries, at those temperatures, road salt is pretty much ineffective, so drivers will have to exercise a lot of caution.”

Charities have also raised concerns about the risks the cold weather brings for the elderly.

Michelle Mitchell, charity director general at Age UK, said: “Many people believe that the only risk of winter weather is getting a cold but the risk is much greater. Low temperatures raise blood pressure which puts people at a greater risk of heart attacks and strokes as well as increasing the likelihood and severity of flu and other respiratory problems.

“We want older people to be able to enjoy the winter and, most importantly of all, stay well.”

Mathew Coffin, from Age Concern Cardiff and the Vale, said: “It’s important for all of us to remember the needs of elderly relatives and neighbours who could be at risk. I would urge people to check in on their older neighbours who may be experiencing serious difficulties as a result of the cold weather and see if they need any help.”

The death toll from the weather in eastern Europe has risen to 133, while some 11,000 villagers are stranded in mountainous areas of Serbia.

Many tourism hotspots in Europe are experiencing low temperatures, with -14C (6.8F) in Berlin, -17C (1.4F) in Prague, -8C (17.6F) in Paris, -13C (8.6F) in Stockholm and -20C (-4F) in Warsaw.

Serbia, Ukraine and Poland all recorded fatalities as the mercury sank as low as -32.5C (-26.5F).

Parts of the Black Sea froze near the Romanian coastline, while in Bulgaria a number of towns recorded their lowest temperatures since records began a century ago.

The Polish government said its victims were mostly homeless people under the influence of alcohol who were seeking shelter in cold buildings.

In Ukraine 63 people have died from the freezing conditions over the past week, and nearly 950 have received hospital treatment for hypothermia and frostbite. The death toll in Serbia stands at five.

Dr Milorad Dramacanin, who took part in helicopter evacuations in central Serbia, said: "The situation is dramatic, the snow is up to five metres high in some areas, you can only see rooftops."

Up to 300 people are stranded in Bosnia, with choppers supplying food and medication.

Goran Milat, who is one of those residents cut off, said: "We are thankful for this help. But the snow did what it did and we are blocked here until spring."

The conditions also forced the closure of the airport in Montenegro’s capital city Podgorica.

In Italy the harsh conditions led to several Serie A football matches being postponed, with further games at risk.

News agency Ansa reported that officials in Rome are preparing emergency relief measures in case of snow later this week.

Meanwhile the US has enjoyed a very mild winter, with unseasonably warm temperatures and a lack of snow.

Pennsylvania’s famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter earlier today in his annual appearance in the spotlight.

But the fact that he saw his shadow – the determining factor on whether he believes winter will continue or spring will arrive shortly – will not be greeted with too much despair as the unseasonably warm season has brought few cold days to the east of the country.

WalesOnline is part of Media Wales, publisher of the Western Mail, South Wales Echo, Wales on Sunday and the seven Celtic weekly titles, offering you unique access to our audience across Wales online and in print.